Binnenland·onderzoeksraad.nl·23 dec 2023

Loss of engine inspection panel, Eurocopter Deutschland EC135 T2+, PH-MAA, Bunne

To protect the two engines from erosive and corrosive deterioration, the operator had scheduled a rinsing of the engine compressors on the morning of 7 February 2022. During the rinsing procedure, the HEMS provider received a call to scramble to an emergency site. The helicopter took off from Groningen Airport Eelde (EHGG) in a southwesterly direction towards the city of Joure. During the flight, the pilot heard a noise and suspected the helicopter had struck a bird. There were no indications or warnings in the cockpit of a helicopter system malfunction and the commander decided to continue the flight. Shortly thereafter, the scramble that the air ambulance was responding to, was cancelled and the helicopter returned to EHGG. After landing, an engine inspection panel was found missing.